PM Dung calls for APEC co-operation

HA NOI (VNS) — Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung called for members of the Asia-Pacific region to strengthen co-operation and experience connectivity in human resources development at the 6th APEC Human Resources Development Ministerial Meeting in Ha Noi on Saturday.

"Such measures should be considered significant for restructuring and recovering economic growth, enabling social protection, social welfare and human development," said Dung.

Dung also highlighted the important role of human resources in maintaining the dynamic and rapid development of the Asia–Pacific region.

"APEC co-operation programmes and initiatives have contributed to creating many more jobs, especially for the young, and meet the demand of international supply chains while improving the competitive advantages of APEC members," he added.

Asia–Pacific had been the most dynamic region in the world over the last decades, with 21 APEC economies which represented 40 per cent of the world's population and 54 per cent of global GDP, according to Dung.

However, Dung said that APEC members had faced many challenges such as slow and unstable growth, high unemployment, imbalances between skilled labour supply and demand and social conflicts.

"I believe that APEC ministers and delegates will make suggestions and introduce new initiatives and effective solutions which are human-centered, while, minimising the negative impacts of globalisation and international labour division," said Dung.

"This includes unemployment, especially among young labourers, vulnerable groups, women and people with disabilities in the labour market."

The PM said that Viet Nam had always defined human resources development as a strategic breakthrough to achieve sustainable socio-economic development and economic restructuring, towards the goal of national industrialisation and modernisation.

Dung also said that Viet Nam would continue to work with APEC members to foster co-operation mechanisms and economic connectivity.

The success of the APEC Human Resources Development Ministerial Meeting would strengthen regional links and co-operation to build a Asia–Pacific region of self-resilience, cohesion, fair and sustainable development, added Dung.

"While the need for social protection is widely recognised, fundamental human rights and social security remain unavailable for the majority of the world's population," said Minister of the Ministry of Planning and Investment Bui Quang Vinh.

"Addressing the social dimensions of globalisation to support inclusive growth and sustainable development is the main task for APEC economies," said Vinh.

"Although there is no single model that will fit all economies, social protection measures need to be synchronised to benefit the wider population within the context of poverty alleviation and prevention to help overcome inequalities," added Vinh.

At the event, ministers focused discussion on three sub-themes: supporting inclusive and sustainable growth and addressing the social dimensions of globalisation; enhancing human resources to meet supply chain demands; and facilitating the mobility of labour and skill development.

Delegates concluded their meeting by endorsing a Joint Ministerial Statement focusing on APEC's priority to promote people to people connectivity and committing to maximising opportunities afforded by globalisation to improve workforce capabilities, promote decent jobs, strengthen social protection and address inequality. — VNS